New SMT Varistors Have Nickel Barrier Terminations

The latest addition to the firm's extensive lineup of multilayer metal oxide varistors is the CT Series. This family of 4VRMS- to 25VRMS-rated surface-mount varistors have nickel barrier terminations to improve solderability at lower soldering temperatures. Suitable for both reflow and wave soldering, the devices come in 0603 and 0805 package sizes and have a termination consisting of a silver inner layer, the nickel barrier, and an outer tin layer that's added after a patented manufacturing process. The varistors provide a response time of less than 0.5 ns and thus are well-suited for use in providing overvoltage protection from transients caused by ESDs, switching, load dump, and lightning. Average price is less than $0.20 each/1000, with standard delivery times of 12-16 weeks.